Copy of RI.KID.1: What I Regret Most in My Life Are Failures of Kindness (9/2/2025)

Last updated 3 months ago
4 questions
In 2013, George Saunders delivered a graduation speech at Syracuse University that later became widely circulated.
Excerpt:

"Down through the ages, a traditional form has evolved for this type of speech, which is: Some old fart, his best years behind him, who, over the course of his life, has made a series of dreadful mistakes (that would be me), gives heartfelt advice to a group of shining, energetic young people, with all of their best years ahead of them (that would be you).

What I regret most in my life are failures of kindness. Those moments when another human being was there, in front of me, suffering, and I responded… sensibly. Reservedly. Mildly. Or, to look at it from the other end of the telescope: Who, in your life, do you remember most fondly, with the most undeniable feelings of warmth? Those who were kindest to you, I bet.

It's a little facile, maybe, and certainly hard to implement, but I'd say, as a goal in life, you could do worse than: Try to be kinder. In my experience, it's a little bit of a confession, a little bit of an assumption of the possibility of divine grace, a little bit of a challenge to actually improve your soul."
1

How does the speaker characterize himself in relation to his audience?

1

According to the speaker, whom do people remember most fondly?

1

What is the main purpose of the speech format described in the first paragraph?

1

What does the speaker mean by looking at it "from the other end of the telescope"?